The USA has visa and immigration requirements that vary by country. Please consult the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol homepage for further details.

Individuals wishing to visit the state need to obtain a visa for Florida, or a visa waiver for Florida depending on the purpose of their visit, as well as their country of citizenship.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits residents of participating countries (currently 38) to visit Florida without a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Candidates must be qualified to utilize the VWP and have a legitimate Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) authorization before their departure to the Florida, by air or sea. You must meet most of the following prerequisites to be eligible for the ESTA:

• Travel purpose must be permitted on visa
• Business
• Tourism
• Travel Purposes Not Permitted on Visa Waiver Program

For a list of countries eligible for the VWP or general information on the ESTA system, please check HERE.  

Tourist Visa / Visitor Visa

If you are not eligible for an ESTA, you may be eligible to apply for a "B" category visa for Florida. The B2 visa is issued for tourism purposes, the B1 visa is issued for business purposes. There is also a B1/B2 visitor visa, which can be used for both business and tourism purposes. Here are the steps to apply for a B category visa:

• Complete the Online Visa Application (DS-160)
• Schedule your US Embassy Interview
• Pay the DS-160 Application Fee ($160 USD)
• Gather the Required Documentation
• Optional: gather additional documentation that shows your intention to leave Florida after your visit; and
• Attend Your Embassy Interview

If your request for a visa is approved, your visa will be issued to you.

For more information on "B" Category visas, please check HERE. 

If you wish to speak to a United States consulate, please check HERE to find the nearest to you.

Please contact us (coral.restoration@noaa.gov) as early as possible to ensure a successful visa application.